Best Types of Firewood: From Oak to Pine Firewood for Long-Lasting Heat

Best types of firewood, People often need help determining the best type of firewood for their fireplaces.

For homeowners living near the woods, their choice of firewood for housewarming depends on them going outside to chop down a few trees.

But if you live in a home without trees nearby, you need to go out and buy firewood – And you need to know the right ones to pick the best types of firewood. 

Therefore, we have covered everything you need to know, from the best firewood for indoor and outdoor burning to valuable tips on buying firewood. Let’s get started!

Why choose the best firewood?

Not every piece of firewood burns the same. Accepting any old wood will inevitably lead to unpleasant situations.

On the other hand, selecting the best firewood enables you to start a fire easily, makes it burn hotter, and last longer.

Burning wood

(Burning wood)

What is good firewood?

The density and dryness of the firewood are the top qualities of good firewood. Denser wood burns more efficiently because it consumes the fire more fuel.

If the high-density wood is moist, the fire must work harder to burn off extra water. As a result, it must be solid and dry.

Stacks of firewood

(Stacks of firewood)

Types of firewood

Hardwood and softwood are the two main types of firewood. Since hardwoods are frequently denser than softwoods, they burn longer and generate more heat.

They are also less sticky than softwoods, which reduces the likelihood of tar deposits accumulating in your chimney.

Hardwood

Oak

Because it is common, it is an easy favorite. Again, Oak is fairly dense and may burn for a long time. Each cord of Oak costs between $180 and $600.

Ash

It is well-suited for wood burning since it burns well independently, keeps a steady flame, and generates a lot of heat. For a complete cord that has been split and aged, you may pay between $360 and $420.

Birch

It is a great option for flames because of its propensity to burn quickly and effectively, even when unseasoned. Its bark may be used to start a fire as well. A whole cord will run you about $200.

Dry oakwood

(Dry oakwood).

Softwood

Cedar

Cedar produces a loud crackling sound and long-lasting heat with little flame. It costs about $220 per cord.

Logs of cedarwood

(Logs of cedarwood).

Larch

It is a top-notch hardwood mixture that is useful for stoves. It’s also well-liked since a cord costs around $160 and requires little upkeep.

Pine

burns easily and fast, producing a lovely flame. As a result, it makes a great outdoor fire starter. The cost of a whole Pine cord is $160.

Artificially-produced firewood

These days, prefabricated fuels useful in fireplaces include wood bricks and pellets.

Burning wood pellets

(Burning wood pellets).

The best wood for indoor burning

Ash-based firewood

Ash burns continuously and produces great heat. Ash isn’t also known for splitting quickly.

Cherry wood

Dried cherry firewood has a beautiful aroma. If the ambiance of your fire is more important than the heat, cherry wood is a great option.

Hickory Firewood 

Hickory wood burns cleanly and doesn’t emit harmful pollutants, making it perfect for hearths and wood stoves.

The best wood for outdoor burning

Beechwood

Like ash, beech wood burns hot and cleanly. Little sparks are produced by beech firewood, which makes it perfect for outdoor fire pits.

Oak firewood

burns less slowly than hickory but still produces magnificent, continuous flames illuminating your landscape for hours.

Hickory firewood 

Its prolonged burn time, alluring aroma, and strong heat output enhance the overall experience with a delightful background sound of crackling flames.

Chopped wood

(Chopped wood)

Tips for Buying the best firewood

Use hardwood.

Hardwood leaves more coals after burning, burns hotter and longer than softwood, and is easier to relight in the morning.

Burn dry wood.

There are several reasons why burning damp wood is not a good idea:

  • More smoke and water vapor are released.
  • Your chimney might get damaged if the wood is wet.
  • Additionally, it lowers the standard of indoor air.

Consider only local wood. 

By avoiding wood from other parts of the country, you save money and contribute to preventing the spread of insects and exotic plant diseases.

A pile of wood

(A pile of wood)

Types of firewood to avoid

From being unhealthy to the environment and inefficient burners, avoid these firewood types.

  • Processed or painted wood
  • Sea wood
  • Huge logs
Some huge pieces of wood

(Some huge pieces of wood)

Calorific Value

Some of the best firewood in terms of heat value include the following.

Best Types of Firewood: High calorific value: Wood examples

Here, one cord produces 200–250 gallons of fuel oil power.

  • Mesquite.
  • American Beech.
  • Apple.
  • Ironwood.
  • Red Oak.
  • Hickory.
  • Shagbark.
  • Sugar Maple.
  • White Oak.
  • White Ash.
  • Yellow Birch.

Best Types of Firewood: Low calorific value: Wood examples

One cord produces 100–150 gallons of fuel oil power.

  • Aspen.
  • Lodgepole Pine.
  • Red Alder.
  • Cottonwood.
  • Hemlock.
  • Redwood.
  • Black Fir.
  • Sitka Spruce.
  • Red Cedar from the West Coast.
Best Types of Firewood: Cords of firewood stored up for seasoning

(Cords of firewood stored up for seasoning).

Firewood Burning Techniques 

  • Before burning, newly cut wood must be seasoned (dried) to a 20 to 25% moisture content since it contains up to 50%.
  • Dry wood is more difficult to split than wet wood. Wood must be cut into pieces and kept out of the weather for at least six months to season properly.
  • Properly seasoned wood often has darkened ends and noticeable splits or fissures. It is thin and has a characteristic “clink” sound when two pieces come into touch.
  • Limit the quantity of pine you burn. It is a softwood with resin.
Best Types of Firewood: The burning wood

(The burning wood)

FAQs and Responses

  • What kind of wood burns the longest?

Hardwood trees grow more slowly than softwood trees, making their wood thicker and more time-consuming to burn.

  • What kind of wood generates the most heat?

Softwoods burn more gently than hardwoods do. The hottest burning wood is Oak, which produces about 29 million BTUs.

  • Which wood burns the cleanest?

Firewood obtained from kiln drying has a low moisture level and lacks bugs, mildew, and other issues. Because of this, it burns the cleanest.

  • Which kind of wood makes the finest cooking fuel?

Hardwood species, including Oak, hickory, cherry, and sugar maple, are fantastic cooking options.

  • What sort of wood smells the best?

The most common woods for smells are cherry, hickory, Oak, cedar, and pine.

Best Types of Firewood:Pine forest

(Pine forest)

Conclusion

Eventually, it’s up to you to decide which wood to use for your wood stove or fireplace.

However, remember that you’re good to go if you use wood with low moisture content and high density.